KNEWSLETTTER IN A KNUTSHELL 4 The Artistry of It 4 Tricks 4 Military Knives 4 Knife In There Somewhere 4 Finland 4 If I Had Only Known 4 How It Used To Be 4 Demonstrations Ourinternational membership is happily involved with “Anything that goes ‘cut’!” April 2005 THERE’S A KNIFE IN THERE SOMEWHERE By Merle Spencer We were discussing the combination knife and tool Of course, the tool-kit models produced these days are more implements so prevalent in use now, and I was asked if I durable and stronger than those little knives, and some are of liked them. My answer had to be in the affirmative because it very high quality materials indeed. Some models have tool is a fact that they are very useful. However if I were asked if kits all in one handle with enough implements to keep a I thought they are beautiful, I think the answer would be person going in just about any situation imaginable. If I were different. A thing doesn’t have to be beautiful in order to be to venture away from civilization, which I probably won’t, practical. now that I’ve passed the three-quarter century mark, I would certainly take along one of those high quality kits containing I guess to determine what I think of such tools, we’d better all kinds of useful tools and a knife in there somewhere. count up. Several years ago Janie gave me a little Leatherman Micra, The first one, and I still have it after close to forty years, is a and if a tool Victorinox can be Swiss Army beautiful, this knife with the one is. The red usual red handle exposes handle and a number of toothpick and small tools tweezers when it is carried in unfolded. I slots in the haven’t used all handle scales. the tools in it It is the yet, but I have Executive removed bottle model, just a caps, tightened little larger loose screws in than the my glasses and Classic. The sliced cheese at knife a picnic. The contains two little knife blades in penknife size, a fingernail file, scissors and a blade is very sharp. The scissors are very strong, and are great combination pipe bowl scraper, orange peeler and at opening those clear plastic packages that are so frustrating screwdriver blade. when you get to the car with a new toy. This little tool always occupies an honored place in my rig, handy to the fingertips. There were many times when this little knife was very useful to me, and I have used every tool in it over the years. It was There are at least two more of these multi-tool implements always in my pocket until the past few years when I found among my necessary possessions, although of the much lower that the smaller Classic would meet my needs. I’ve always price category There is one in the rig among some other tools been glad for a small screwdriver readily available in case and another in a backpack that always goes on trips with me. the situation repeated itself where my boss once asked if I had a knife and proceeded to take screws out of a movie I guess that sums up what I think of knife tool combinations. projector with the blade. You never know when you’re going to need to use your pliers and screwdriver set to peel an apple. Knotes on used on some Model 14, 15, and 18 sheaths making knives, but to be honest I never United States made from the 1954 inception. Again used asked. Anyway he told me of his favorite during the Vietnam war, possibly left overs. grip material, sharkskin. It seems they Military Edged would trade for sharkskin any time 5.) Johnson Rough-back 1963-1991. (These possible to make handle covers for Cutlery include the early Johnson Brown Buttons, screwdrivers and pliers, tools of the by Frank Trzaska and transition Brown Button to smooth electrician’s trade that he was rated in. So nickel plated brass Buttons in 1963-1964). if it worked for tools, why not knives. They made a few handle covers and the Randall Scabbards 6.) Johnson Smooth-back/Smooth Button crew liked them. From that point on they Trying to date a Randall Made knife is 1990-1991. would use sharkskin covers to make a always tricky and best left to those with better and surer grip on the knives they the experience to do so. Most knife dating 7.) Smooth Button Sullivan mid 1980's on a made. I have never heard of a Theatre is accomplished by the spacer small scale, full scale 1992-1995. knife with a sharkskin handle but am now arrangement and thickness. Another often on the lookout for one. If you happen to quoted way is by the sheath or more 8.) "Transition" Sullivan Half smooth/ half run across one, I sure would be glad to specific by the buttons or with Randall Made hear from you. snaps used on the sheath. Knives logo (That is if the sheath is Buttons: 1995-1996 (as Saddler’s Knives original to the knife smooth button stock A while back I wrote a short knote about which in some cases it is was depleted). Landers, Frary & Clark and the knives not, so be careful.) Going they made for World War I. In that piece I through the many sources 9.) RMK logo Buttons noted they made 2,500 saddler’s knives. I of information on 1995-Present. also noted I had never seen one and really Randall’s I have put wasn’t sure what a saddler’s knife was. together a list of some 10.) Brown stitch Well you responded in force to tell me “generalities” in sheath Sullivan 1998 or as what one looked like. In fact several of dating. The sources are: requested, note this is you pointed out it was shown in the photo Randall Made Knives not a RARE sheath as I used to illustrate the story! I would like Book by Bob Gaddis, The some would have you to take this opportunity to thank you all Randall Knife believe. for the Information Collection wonderful CD by Intersquare which The only thing for response to is a copy of all the certain here is tell me Randall Knife Society uncertainty. This is a what one Newsletters, our friend field open for a lot of looked like. Bob Hunt’s Randall Web speculation; so if you While it Site, The Randall Forum don’t agree with what I had my on have here, please let me attention, I www.Knifeforums.com, know. started too back issues of Knife look for World and various other Real Shark Knives other tidbits picked up along During a recent after examples. the way. Here we go: dinner conversation In the with my father-in-law, World War 1.) Painted Brass Buttons who is a WW II Navy Two era War Department Technical 1940-1943 again 1949- veteran, the subject of Manual TM 9-867, Maintenance and Care 1951. Most were painted Theatre knives came of Hand Tools dated 19 April 1945 the black but Brown has been up. He noticed a book saddler’s knife shown is vastly different observed. Brown Button laying on the table next then the one shown in the World War I Moore/Heiser sheath to my favorite reading photo. Out of all the responses I received, 1943-1946 makes it’s chair and picked it up. all pointed out the WW I version. So in first appearance. The book was Theater the interest of further education for us all, Made Military Knives here is the updated version of a saddler’s 2.) Translucent Red Button Sheaths by of World War Two by Bill & Debbie Wright. knife. Our good friend, Mike Silvey, Southern/Moore/and Heiser: 1946-1950. After looking at a few pages he told me of pointed out that he still uses the WW I how he and some friends had made several version in making his leather scabbards, 3.) Brown Button Heiser sheath 1949- of these knives with plastic handles in the says it is very user friendly and aids in 1963. (Includes some with the Heiser ship’s machine shop. The conversation quick cutting of the leather. Denver Buttons) floored me. We have known each other for 25 plus years; and he never told me about Frank Trzaska [[email protected]] 4.) “Canteen” (Lift the Dot) snaps were Page 2 (X15)designed the Oregon Knife Club Nite social will be like last year and some OKCA Knews medallion this year. special surprises for your enjoyment. The Ford Swauger Club knives will be available at the and Musings Show Time........ Show. ibdennis The doors will open on Friday at 10 AM for members and table holders. The first task at The Oregon Knife Club website.... Membership due ????????????????? hand for the table holders will be to pick up Our web site (www.oregonknifeclub.org) has Please note that current members and past due their Show Packets. The Show Packets are a been totally revamped. Check it out. This site th members will get this Knewslettter. Check wonderful 30 anniversary launch for this is also a great place to catch up on the latest your label to see if you are current (2005 or Show. There are so many surprises in this happenings and also details on the Show. What better) or whether it sezs 2004. If your packet you will be amassed.